Jussie Smollett Of "Empire" Comes Out: "There Is No Closet"

"There's never been a closet, that I've been in. I don't own a closet," the actor said to Ellen DeGeneres in a backstage segment following his appearance on the show.

During his appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, actor Jussie Smollett discussed his experience portraying Jamal Lyons on Fox's Empire.

The 31-year-old actor commented vaguely on his personal life when Ellen asked about Jamal's coming out on the show.

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"You know I get some ignorant tweets every once in a while. You know, and I know you're not supposed to respond...but sometimes you got to clap back," he said to DeGeneres.

Recently it appeared Smollett was outed as a gay man by co-star Malik Yoba during an interview, though Yoba later stated he was simply misquoted. Smollett has never publicly addressed any of the rumors concerning his own sexuality.

In a second segment, filmed backstage, Smollett opened up to DeGeneres: "It was really important to me to make sure that it got across that there is no closet."

"There's never been a closet. That I've been in. I don't own a closet, I got a dresser, but I don't have a closet, but I have a home and that is my responsibility to protect that home," Smollett said. "So that's why I choose not to talk bout my personal life. But there is, without a doubt, no closet that I've ever been in, and I just wanted to make that clear, but it was most important for me to make that clear to you on your show at this time in the world. And that's where I'm at," he concluded.

"There are questions out there and I think that's why it was my responsibility to at least just give you the opportunity," Ellen told Smollett, adding that she was proud of him for his statements.

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“My mama knows. My mama likes me a lot,” Smollett continued. “And yes I take her to the Sound of Music sing-along every, single year."